Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practice among Women and Doctors Concerning the Use of Folic Acid

Background and Objective . Daily folic acid intake, prior to conception and in early pregnancy, significantly reduces neural tube defects (NTDs). We compared folic acid consumption among Jewish and Bedouin women and the recommendations of family physicians and gynecologists. Methods . We compared 64 Muslim Bedouin women and 65 Jewish women. We also compared 39 gynecologists and 60 family physicians. Results . Fifty-one Jewish women (78.5%) took folic acid during pregnancy, but only seven (10.8%) before conception. Sixty Bedouin women (93.75%) took folic acid during pregnancy, but only four (6.25%) before conception ( P < .05). Five Jewish women (7.7%) and two Bedouin women (3.1%) took folic acid three months before conception. Thirty-three gynecologists (87%) recommend preconception folic acid compared with thirty-six family physicians (60%) ( P < .05). Conclusions . The majority of women use folic acid during pregnancy, but only few do so to prevent NTDs. There is a significant difference between doctors' recommendations and actual practice.